Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Competitive runners, triathletes, and ultramarathon runners who want the complete Garmin running analytics suite: full maps, running dynamics, training load, race predictor, and race day guidance — in the lightest, most running-optimised Garmin form factor.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Trail runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes who want Polar's analytics with significantly longer battery life than the Vantage V3. The titanium case and sapphire glass make it suitable for technical terrain where watch durability matters.
Full details →| Garmin Forerunner 965 | Polar Grit X | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Sports GPS | Sports GPS |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Battery | 23 days | 40 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Health sensors | hr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, training readiness, running dynamics | hr, spo2, hrv, running power |
| Released | Mar 1, 2023 | Mar 14, 2023 |
| Cycle length | 1024 days | 873 days |
| Cycle advice | bad | bad |
| Deals advice | good | good |
| Next model | — | — |
Turn-by-turn navigation on full TopoActive maps — the key differentiator from the FR265. Essential for trail running and mountain racing.
Cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and running power — the full biomechanics suite for optimising form and efficiency.
More than double the FR265 battery life. Enough for week-long trail ultras without a charge.
Five times the battery of the Vantage V3 — enough for week-long mountain stages or ultramarathons without charging access.
Automatically segments your run by uphill and downhill sections, calculating pace and power for each — essential for mountain race training.
Running power without a chest strap or foot pod — Polar's key differentiator versus Garmin at this price tier.